Compared to only 5% in 2005, these days 7 in 10 Americans are active on social media.  If your small business in San Diego does not have the social media attention it needs, you could be missing out on sales.  Although promoting on social media might seem scary, with only a few tips you can begin to see the difference.  We put together some pro social networking tips to help you make it happen. 1. Start by Laying Out the Objectives As a small business in San Diego, your social media success in the local market depends on how well you promote your accounts.  Before …

Are you new to the competitive world of online sales? Is your small business having a bit of trouble finding its audience? Online sales are worth almost $500 billion each year, and growing. Carving out an online identity is well worth the effort. If you’re new to online marketing, you might be wondering where to begin. If you’re looking to focus more attention on your brand, this article’s for you. We’ll give you the inside scoop about product branding. We’ll also help you find a local branding agency that will help you crush the competition. What Is a Brand? Every company has a brand, but …

As a responsible business owner, you know how important marketing is to sell your products or services. It’s one thing to have something consumers really need or want. The question, though, is whether or not they know of your actual business. That’s where marketing comes into play. Marketing and sales have been practiced as long as trading itself. Over time, marketing strategies have developed into complex plans, but they work. If you are looking to develop real profits from your startup business, you need to make the most of marketing avenues available to you. A big part of any successful marketing strategy is a well-developed …

Over the past decade, the Internet has become one of the most powerful tools for entrepreneurs. In fact, there are companies that provide products and services solely over the Internet. Regardless of what industry you’re in or what you offer your customers, you need to take the Internet seriously when it comes to marketing. More specifically, you need to take advantage of social media. As of 2018, approximately 77 percent of Americans have a social media profile. This means that you forego thousands (or even millions) of dollars in business if you don’t up your brand’s social media game. Not sure where to start? Don’t …

Today’s consumers are wielding their buying power to benefit society and the Earth. This sense of “consumer responsibility” outperforms other purchasing motivations such as coupons, discounts, and sales. That’s why cause marketing works. 56 percent of customers report actively searching out and spending extra money on products from companies committed to social value. They’ll also pay more for organic products and those that prove environmentally friendly. But what is cause marketing, and how can you make it work for your business? Read on for the insider’s guide to cause-related marketing that works. The Age of Social Responsibility Whether you’re a marketer or a small business …

A brand must have a very unique or one-of-a-kind product or service to not have to worry about the competition. Most don’t have that luxury. To remain competitive and ahead of the competition businesses need a creative marketing strategy. There are plenty of companies that offer products and services that are similar to theirs. Yet, have remained relevant in their fields because they were able to capitalize on their uniqueness. Just think about all the fast food restaurants and soft drink companies. Building a strong brand that is easily recognizable is hard work. Not only do you need to build brand awareness but also make …

As the average business is set to spend around $75,000 this year on digital marketing, there are lots of other marketing strategies to consider. When you’re headed out to a trade show, marketing means a lot of different types of strategies. Marketing at a trade show will require talking to people, giving presentations, and running your booth. Here is everything to know about how to turn your next trade show into a marketing goldmine. 1. Make a Plan Your team should start thinking about how you’re going to market yourselves at your next trade show as soon as you sign up. Since you know months …

If you’re about to plan a digital marketing campaign, you’re in the right place. Did you know, as little as 22% of businesses are happy with their conversion rates? We want to change this. During this article, we’re revealing some sage advice that’ll help ensure you get the best results. What’s the Point in Planning a Digital Marketing Campaign? You might be thinking, “What’s the point in spending time and effort planning? Why can’t I dive straight in?” Well, yes you can choose to go down that route, but we strongly suggest you don’t. The planning process ensures you conduct some much-needed research, think through …

Let’s face it. You’re far too busy to wear all the hats in your business. But, it’s not always an easy feat to hand over the reins either. However, you can’t take shots in the dark when it comes to your marketing strategy. Outsourcing is a necessary aspect that can’t be avoided if you want to run a thriving, successful business. In a 2017 study, 37% of American small businesses said they’re willing to outsource. This not only stresses how common it is – but also, how necessary. Marketing should be the focal point of your monetization strategy. And that’s where outsourcing to marketing agencies …

A great way to promote your business is to promote someone else’s. As strange as that may sound, it’s true. When your company partners with a charitable organization, you’re not just raising money for those in need. Social cause marketing is one of the best ways to prove your business stands by your code of ethics and wants to do good in the world. So, what is a social cause, exactly? Some examples of social causes include: Fighting poverty Preventing bullying Civil Rights Advocacy LGBTQ+ advocacy Fighting for or against immigration Raising money for life-saving medical research Helping the homeless, etc. And what better way …

Remember the time when people claimed that print was dead? Well, those people were simply wrong. Sure, without a doubt, we live in a digital age. But print still has its place. In fact, it’s clear that print media has many advantages when it comes to both news reporting and advertising. For one, research shows that the majority of people feel that print marketing is more trustworthy than other types of marketing are. The ideal situation for any business owner interested in marketing their products and services is to use the smart combination of digital and print communication to maximize their branding efforts. In the …

Curious about cause marketing campaigns? Did you know that cause sponsorship is predicted to reach more than $2.14 billion in 2018? Furthermore, 78% of people between the ages of 18 to 24 will choose an ethical product over its non-ethical competition. Even when that product is more expensive. In today’s digital world, competition is high. Yes, consumers still prefer products that are high quality and low cost. But unlike 20 years ago, consumers also take into account the company’s environmental impact and causes they support. If you want to take a look at successful cause marketing examples, we’ve created a list for you. In the …

Did you know that companies who don’t clearly support a good cause are likely to lose their customers to competing businesses that do? We are living in an era of social responsibility where consumers want to make sure the money they are spending is doing more than increasing your bottom line. If you’re looking for ways to become more socially responsible as a business owner, it’s time for you to start your first cause marketing campaign. There’s quite a bit to learn, but that’s what we’re here for. So, keep reading – we’ve got you covered. What is Cause Marketing? Because of the digital age …

Every company likes to be recognized for its achievements and long hours dedicated to their clients. Luckily, that possibility has become a reality for us here at the Marketing and Advertising Design Group, or M.A.D., in San Diego. We are excited to announce that our company has been recognized by Clutch, an independent third party reviewer of B2B companies around the world, as a top San Diego branding agency in their 2018 press release. This achievement makes us especially proud because of the way it was earned. The main way Clutch conducts their research is by calling previous clients and publishing their feedback as a …

Consider who your audience is and what they would think if they received a printed piece that is more casual versus more professional. If your business is an art gallery or has an upscale clientele, it may be better to use a professional printer. On the other hand, a taco shop that has a temporary, over-the-counter promotion using flyers may not require a professional printer. Also, if you are printing small quantities of a hundred or less or if you need your prints quickly, a professional printer might not be the way to go. Set up time and costs are expensive for professional printers. Lastly, …